Career

Classical studies embraces the study of Greek and Latin language, literature, history and culture. An emphasis in the Classics provides students with valuable content that is the foundation for a breadth of other disciplines, imparts transferable skills, and increases their capacity for memorization, synthesis of new knowledge, concentration, and listening. The content provides rhetorical knowledge of the culture of the ancient world as well as the world in which we live, but is also profoundly trans-formative allowing for a greater understanding of the self and the human condition. Studying classical culture also improves a student’s ability to communicate cross culturally, increases understanding and sensitivity to different cultures, and broadens knowledge of the world.

At Wake Forest, students may major or minor in Greek, Latin, or Classical Studies. Courses offered by the Department are relevant to studies including but not limited to: Anthropology, Art, English, History, Linguistics,Philosophy, Religion, and Women’s Studies.

Career opportunities for graduates are many and varied. They include teaching at the secondary level, non-teaching academic positions, journalism, business, museum work, law, library work, editorial work, positions in travel and tourist industry, and government positions in foreign service. The major can help prepare students to enter graduate school in classics, business, law, medicine, comparative literature, linguistics, history, theology as well as other fields. Many Wake Forest classics majors have gone on to graduate and professional study at distinguished institutions and have been successful in pursuing higher degrees.